Lighter construction



Oct. 29, .1935. A. F. REILLY '2,019,434

v LIGHTER CONSTRUCTION Fi1edFeb.-20. 1932 TT'. l.

zo :T40 78 #024 7758 lNvENoR BYH Zfrec jf. Rei t ATTORNEYS itl the scope of'the application of whichwill be indicated in the following claims.

Patented ct. i935 ii-teur i s;

LIGHTER CNSTRUTEGN applicati@ reuma zo, iosa, senat No, scarse Thisinvention relates to lighting devices, and more particularly to a device in which a Wick is ignited by sparks mechanically produced.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated 'which shall be of inexpensive construction and absolutely reliable in operation. Another object of the invention is to provide an eicient and practical lighter mechanism which' may easily be assembled. Another object of the invention is to provide av device of the character described which optionally may be kept burning without holding the ringer-piece. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be caused to automatically close extinguishing the ame when manipulated in a certain way, and which will remain open with the wick lighted when manipulated in another way. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which insures the exertion of a strong pressure on the part of the user. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which makes a clicking noise when being operated. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which requires less pressure towards the end of the lighting stroke than it does at the commencement thereof. Another objectofthe invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be locked in open or lighted position and which then may be quickly and easily snapped shut extinguishing the ame. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described in which leakage of fuel is greatly reduced. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of .the character described adapted tobe connected'to a watch chain. Another object of the invention'is to provide a. device of, the character described which may be easily manipulated while attached to a watch chain. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements', and arrangements'of parts, as will be exemplied in the structure to be hereinafter described, and

Figure 1 is a plan view of a lighter constructed` in accordance with the invention;

them lout of sheet metal with a die.

(Ci. Kil-7.1)

" Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2 2 oi Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Figure 2 and showing the snuffel' of the lighter raised and-the nger-piece thereot 5 depressed; y

Figure iis a vertical sectional view taken on the line -l'l of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 2; 10

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the nger-piece member;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the snuffel: member and toothed member;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on an 15 and e, I provide a fuel tank 2t which preierablyv has' substantial bulges at each end, and may consist of a pair of shells 2l, 2l suitably fastened 30 together as by solder, the shells 2l being sus'- ceptible of production in quantity by pressing The fuel tank 2li has a bottom wall 22 having a pair of v ori'ces 23 and 2t. The orice 33 is threaded 35 ts in' a depression- 2'! provided for it. Liquid fuel is introduced into the tank 20 through the 40 `oriiice 23 which thereafter may be closed by the closure 25, a. leather washer 28 being provided in the depression 2l to form a tight seal. In order 'to permit ready manipulation of the disc portion 26 to open the oriice 23, the hurled edge of the 45 disc portion 26 may extend beyond the edges of the bottom wall 23, or any other suitable expedient may be adopted, such as forming ascrew slot in the disc 2o. 1

' The clearly shown in Figure 2, is hollow and receives a container 29 for extra pieces of pyro'phoric metal. As ls-better-shown in Figure 4, the container 29 may comprise a cylindrical member split down the center witha closed top. as such a. mem- 65 f". i portlonoitheclosure 25.asis50 ber is adapted to be frictionally held in the hollow portion of the closure 25 by reason of 'the tendency of its side walls to expand.

Again referring to Figure 2,'the. orifice 24 has secured in it, desirably by solder, the lower` end of a tube 30. 4The tube 30 contains a spring 3| vthe upper end of which is coiled about the shank of a plunger 32 engaging a piece 33 of pyrophoric metal or other substance adapted to produce sparks. The bottom end of the spring 3| is coiled lthe removal of screw 35, spring 3i and plunger 32,

for the purpose of replacing a completely or partially used piece of pyrophoric metal with 'a fresh piece.

Referring now toFigures 2 and 4, -the top of the fuel .tank 20 is sealed by a top wall flange portion 48 which may be secured to the fuel tank by solder. Extending downwardly from the top wall flange portion 40 and desirably also soldered to the shells 2l as well las to the top wall flange portion 40 are the walls of a member 4| which forms a somewhat irregular-shaped well 42, the sides and bottom of the well 42, the flange 40 and a short capped tube 43, the purpose of which will be hereinafter made apparent, forming the upper closure for the fuel tank 20.

The tube extends through an opening 44 in the bottom wall of the member 4| and the upper end of the tube 30 is supported by a platform 45 extending inwardly from the flange 46. The tube 36 is made fast to the platform 45 and the opening 44 is sealed against the escape of fuel by soldering or in any other suitable manner.

Desirably integrally formed with the member 41 are a pair of upwardly extending side members 41, 41 which are best shown in'FiguIes 1 and 4. Extending between these side members 41, 41 and near the front thereof is a shaft 48, one end thereof being threaded and the other end having a slot therein. The threaded end of the shaft 48 fits in a threaded hole 50 formed in one of the side plates 41, while the other end of the shaft 48 passes through an aligned hole in the other side member 41.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 2 and 4, journaled on the shaft 48 so as to be freely rotatable thereon is an abrasive wheel 5| havin g ratchet teeth 52 on its periphery which is in contact with th upper end of the pyrophoric member 33. When the abrasive wheel 5I is rotated in a clockwise direction (Figure 2), portions of the pyrophoric metal 33 are torn from the body thereof and form a shower of sparks directed to the left in said figure.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 5. there are likewise freely journaled on the shaft 48 a pair of at side arms 54, 54 forming the forward part on an enlarged` scale in Figure 8, extending between and secured to the bottom of the skirt portions 56, 56 is a short tube 50 the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. The front ends of the arms 54, 54 are provided with holes 63, 63 through which the shaft 48 passes. Extending forwardly and downwardly from one of the flat arms 54 is a lug 66, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. Opposite each other in the arms 54, 54 of the finger-piece member 55 10 `are a pair of arcuate slots 61, .61 the curve of which is drawn on a radius extending from the shaft 48, and through the slots 61 extends a shaft 68 (see now Figures 2 and 3) upon which is pivotally mounted a snufEer-member 10. 15

The snuifer member 1l! is shown in perspective in Figure 'l and illustrated in its two extreme pothrough holes in the sides 12, 12 of the snuffer member and y being preferably journaled in a sleeve 15 (see Figure 5) which extends between said side portions and is suitably expanded at the ends to hold it in position, there being desirably 30 inwardly expanded portions 15a of the side member 12 to form a wide support for the sleeve 15. ri'hus the snuffer member 10 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 68 which in turn is fastened to the upwardly extending side members 41 of the mem- 35 ber "4 l, and the bearing for the snuifer is a wide one, reducing undesired torsional motion and friction.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3, and 7, extending into and held in position by the closed end tube 43 is a spring 16 which normally maintains the snuifer 10 in closed position wherein, by reason of theclosure means which will be hereinafter described, the fuel is sealed in the fuel tank 20. In order that such closure means may be highly effective to seal the tank 20 av firm spring pressure is exerted upon the snuifer member 10 when it is in fluid sealing position and preferably by direct action of the spring 16 against the snuffer 10.

One of the chief troubles experienced with certain lighters in practice is the quick evaporation of the fuel and escape of the gas from the fuel tank. Despite the provision of a gas tight tank and a well sealed fuel opening for the introduction of liquid fuel, if the wick opening is not tightly sealed the fuel will quickly escape. It must be remembered that the fuel used is highly volatile and hence the closures should all be sealed gas tight. While some heretoforeconstru'cted lighters havebeen fairly effective in sealing the fuel tank, it mustbe remembered that individual lighters made by production methods will show variation in this respect and an improvement in the means for sealing the tank isv of great practical benet. To improve the effectiveness of the 65 lighter' in this respect I preferably provide a strong spring 16. At the same time I so arrange the parts that the spring 16 shall exert a greater force tending to close the snuffer 10 when the latter is in iluid sealing position than when it is 70 raised. For, though a spring of any desired strength could be provided there is a practical limit to the .strength of the spring in4 lighters which snap shut owing to the fatigue experienced in holding them open and lighted, and this limit 15 number of operations.

has to be considered from the feminine standpoint, as there are many feminine users of these articles. But it is relatively easy to momentarily exert considerable force, so that a strong spring pressure to be overcome at the start gives practically no discomfort to the user. Furthermore there is this positive advantage in having strong spring pressure to be overcome at the commencement of the lighting operation in that a rapid revolution of the sparking wheel is thereby insured. A spring inherently operates to increase the pressure as it is compressed and thus by the provision of a spring and no more, these advantages are not obtained. I provide means associated with the spring 18 to reduce the couple exerted by it to move the snuier 18 as the snuer is raised or opened, and this means-in part consists of the disposition of the spring 16 and associated parts. v

T'he top portion 1| of the snuer 18 preferably includes a portion 11 'in a dierent and lower plane connected to the front part of the top portion 1| by a short inclined portion 18'. Extending downwardly from the rear of the portion 11 is spring receiving portion 18. This portion 18 together with the side portions 12, 12 and the upper portion 11 forms a box to receive the upper end of the spring 18which,`wh en snuifer 18 is down or closed, as shown in Figure 2, may be nearly or quite straight, being shown in this figure as disposed in an arc of comparatively large radius with its upper end thrusting partly against the top'portion'll and partly against the portion 18. As the snuffer '18 is raised the spring 16 is bent over more and more until, when the snuier is at or near its top position, the spring 16 is so far bent that it is no longer effective to exert a substantial compression thrust and if it does to a slight extent, nevertheless such compression thrust is exerted in line with the axis 68 of the snuffer. 'Ihe reaction of the spring 16 tending to straighten-it out, however, is exerted against the under side of the top portion 11 and thus the snuer 18, if released, will close, but thisv is a lesser force than the resistance of the spring to compression; The transition of the spring 16 from the condition .shown in Figure 2 to the condition shown in Figure 3 involves a gradual lessening of the couple exerted by the spring 16 on the snuier member 18.

Extending rearwardly from the top portion 11 of the snuffer 18 is a portion 88 which, when the snuffer 18 is in closedposition, lies under and substantially in engagement with the under side of the finger engaging portion 58 of the finger-piece 55. Preferably there is a substantialA overlapping of these parts inv order toukeep dirt out of the well i2 and-away from the mechanism of the lighter. The under side of the front of the finger portion 58 is beveled'or rounded forming a bearing portion 58a which engages the portion 11 o the top plate 1| ofthe snuffer.

The finger-piece '55 may readily be pressed from a single piece of metal by a relatively small Despite the single face contact between finger-piece and snuffer, there is no possibility of moving the nger-piece 55 upwardly beyond the position shown in Figure 2,

' because at that position the bottom of the slot .61 is substantiallyin'engagement with the shaft downwardly extending side walls 13, 13 and the rounded front portion 14. The snuffer cap 8| comprises a cylindrical member with a beveled lower lip 82 which, as clearly shown in Figure 2, is adapted to seat against a mating beveled seat 83 provided on a wick tube 84 extending through the top wall iiange 48 and the member 4| into Athe inside ofthe receptacle 28. 'Ihe upper part.

of the' wick 81 is normally received inside of the snuer cap 8| as shown in Figure 2, while the bottom thereof'extends into the tank 28 which is desirably lled with cotton wool, not shown. When the finger-piece 55 is depressed, not only is the snuil'er cap 8| raised by reason of the rotation of the snuer 18 described, but also sparks are directed against the wick 81 by rotation of the abrasive wheel 5| on the pyrophoric metal 33. This action igntes the wick 81 which provides a flame that may be extinguished at any time by f -return of the snuifer member 8| to the position 20 shown in Figure 2. It should be noted that the snuifer cap 8| is carried well out of the way of f the flame when the lighter is lit, as clearly shown in `Figure 3. `When the snuier' cap 8| is in the position shown in Figure 2 the tank 28 is eective- 25 ly sealed against escape of liquid fuel, as the cap 8| is urged firmly against the wick tube 84, by

V reason of'the direct and strong pressure of the spring 16, and in this connection it is noted that the limit to counter clockwise movement of the 30 snuier 18 is set by the engagement of the snuier cap 8| with the seat 83 in order to seal the fuel in the tank 28 bythe strong spring pressure as described.

Referring now particularly to Figures 2, 3, and 35 l the pin 88 and has many teeth 8| which are located on the inside of the curve in engagement with a ratchet wheel 82 that is rigidly fastened 45 to the abrasive wheel 5| on one side thereof, as clearly shown in Figure 5. The vteeth 83 of the ratchet wheel, as best shown .in Figure 2, face in a direction opposite `to that of the teeth 52 of the abrasive wheel 5|, While the teeth 8| of the 50 pawl arm face in the direction adapted to cause rotation of said ratchet wheel when the'pawl arxn 88 is moved upwardly. When, however, the

' the parts and to eliminate side play so as to mainpawl arm-88 is moving downwardly in response to a closing movement of the snuifer 18, the teeth 55 8| and 83 readily slide over eachother.

Referring particularly to Figure 4, there is desirably provided a washer 88 between one arm 58 and the abrasive wheel 5| to reduce friction of 60 tain the teeth 8| and 83 in engagement. The pawl arm 88 isy guided laterally upon one side by the edge of the platform d5, as clearly shown in Figure 5, and is prevented from moving forwardly beyond a distance sutllcient to clear the teeth 83 when moving downwardly by one edge 88 of the top wall flange portion 88. At the other side .the pawl arm 88 is guided by the lug 88 on the front of one of the arms 58. It should be observed that not only lis the snuffer member 18 70 moved through a relatively wide arc whenthe finger portion 58 is moved from top to bottom, but that the size of the pawl arm 88 in relation to the diameter of the ratchet wheel 82 is such that depression of the finger portion 58 results in a con- 75 siderable angular movement of the abrasive wheel 5| by reason of which a high velocity may beimparted to it.

, As already indicated, the device is normally in ing the body portion of the receptacle 20 with ,the

lingers and engaging the finger-piece 50 with the thumb, or in any'other desired manner.- The ingerepiece 55, when depressed, causes elevation of the snuifer 8| and rotation of the sparking wheel 5| .and it will be observed that the .finger-- piece v55 exerts a leverage upon the snuffer to move it at a greater angular velocity and this in 'itsextreme depressed rposition in Figure ,3., Ordinarily when it isdesired to light a cigarette,y

however, the finger-piece 55 will not be depressed as far as it is shown .depressed in Figure 3, but

' will be brought only to that position in which the bottom of the tube 60 which, as heretofore noted,

is attached to the bottom of the finger-piece 55, engages a fiat spring 91 secured to the bottom of the well 42. l Thisat spring 91, under usual conditions of use, constitutes a limiting stop to arrest the movement of the finger-piece 55, sumcient elevation of the snuifer cap 8| andsuicient rotation of the abrasive wheel 5| being secured by the time the tube 80 engages the 4spring 91 to light the wick 87 and provide sufcient clearance for the flame. The spring 91 is preferably a stiff spring which is not easily compressed.

In the use of lighters, it is frequently desirable to leave them lighted or to pass them around for the purpose of lighting a number of cigarettes without repeated actuation of the mechanism. The ordinary so-called single motionf lighter, in which the snuffer is automatically returned to cover the wick and extinguish the iiame whenever the nger is lifted from the finger-piece, could notbe used in this way. By my invention I provide a so-called "single motion lighter which may be manipulated to lock the snuier in open position so that the lighter may be passed around as specified. Preferably a conscious effort or motion is involved in order to thus lock the snuiler member in raised position.- Preferably also the snuier is easily released as by a simple actuation of the finger-piece or the snuffer itself.

. Referring now to Figures 2, 3, and 8, the tube 00 contains a detent pin 90 which, as shown in Figure 8, may move partly out of the tube 60 on one side thereof, but not on the otherlside, one end of the tube 60 being swedged over, as shown at 99. Referring more particularly to Figures 2 and 8, the side wall of the member 4| forming the well 42 is pressed inwardly -to form adetent |00 having a substantially horizontal shoulder |0| on the bottom and a beveled portion |02 on the upper part thereof. When and if the finger-piece 55 is depressed to the position shown in Figure 3 against the action of thestrong fiat spring 91, compressing the latter to the-condition shown in Figures 3 and 8, the pin 93 may slide beneath the yshoulder |0|, 4and will so slide if the lighter is.held slightly inclined rise, for the pin 98 will engage the shoulder |0| owing to theaction of the spring ljand friction willprevent thejpin 98 fromrentering'the tube 50 so long as the iinger-piecel55risnotdepressed. To extinguish the lighter, after itha's'been lat'chcd 5 in open position, and to cause the snuifer 8| to be replaced upon the wick tube 84, the finger-piece is `depressed to relieve thepressure. between the pin 98 and 'theshoulder |0|, 'and the 'lighter slightly inclined so that the pin 98 has a tend- 10 em?? t0 travel back intothe tube 60, which it will'then do. The lighter will then snap shut upon release ofthe finger-piece. The lighter thus operates normally to lig? t the wick upon movement of the finger-piece and extinguish the same 15 Y upon release of the finger-piece, but may be locked in. lighted condition bytwo acts',` lneither'ofl'which is apt to be unconsciously performed, and both of which together are nevertheless very eas'ily'performed. The lighter described makes adistinct clicking sound when the vsnuer closes owing to the jumping of the teeth 9| over the teeth 93. This is a pleasing sound in contradistinction to the somewhat grating sound which all lighters emit dur- 25 ing the lighting operation. To partially obscure this grating sound during the lighting action, I may provide means for causing the lighter to emit a slight clicking sound as the snuier 10 is raised. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, to the inside 30 of the back portion 5l of the finger piece 55 is fastened a notched member |05 made out of flat metal so as to be resilient. lThis notched -member |05 is engaged by the end of the rearwardly projecting portion 80 which is preferably sharp- 35 ened so as to have a tendency to seat in the several notches |05, |06 of the notched member |05. Owing to the fact that the snuifer 10 and the linger-piece 55 are mounted on different axes and on account of the movement along the portion l1 of the bearing portion 58a as the lighter is operated, there is a relative motion between the rearwardly projection portion 80 and the notched member |05 so that the aforesaid clicking sound is omitted when the lighter is lighted. Further- 5 more, engagement of the portion 80 with the notched resilient member .|05 causes momentary resistance to the lighting operation, particularly at the commencement thereof, which still further insures the exertion of a strong finger pressure to cause rapid revolution of the sparking wheel 52. Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, attached to the top portionl'l of the snuffer 10 by means of a rivet |08 is a ring |09. The ring |09 is a swivel ring, the rivet |08 being loose enough to allow it 55 to turn easily thereon as an axis. Thereby the lighter may be attached to a watch chain, and when so attached will have a. tendency to stand upright in the pocket of a user. It will be noted that, as shown in the figures referred to, the side walls of the receptacle 20 bulge outwardly. A lighter having a receptacle so shaped has little tendency to lie over in the pocket of a user, and when attached to a watch chain by means of the ring |09 will have a strong tendency to remain 65 upright. It has been found in practice that lighters lose their fuel much more rapidly when the axis of the wick tube 84 is horizontal or nearly horizontal than when it is vertical, probably owing to the fact that when the Wick tube 84 70 is nearly horizontal, liquid actually gets into the inside of the snuier cap 8| and escapes by e osmotic pressure. It will benoted that the pull of the chain on the ring |09, which is located over the shaft 68, has no tendency to open the snuier.

fis.

the embodiment of Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, withv the exception of certain featuresnow to bev pointed out. Referring now to Fi'gure 11, the pawl arm 90a is preferablysomewhat thicker than the pawl arm of the other embodiment, or other suitable expedient is adopted to provide it with a shoulder H0. Thisl shoulder H0 is slight- Vly inclined to a radius line of the arc of curvature of the pawl arm, or somewhat inclined to the radius line of the locus of movement thereof as the snuffer moves to snuing position. Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, the nger-piece has a forwardly projecting portion 66a of a shape slightly different from the portion 66v already described; this forwardly projecting portion 66a has the function already described in connection with the portion 66 and also constitutes a latch for cooperation with the shoulder" detent H0.

When the snuffer is raised and the spring 91 compressed, the shoulder H0 passes by the projecting portion 66a, and upon release of the flnger-piece the shoulder H0 comes into engagement with the projecting portion 66a which acts as a detent to hold the pawl arm 99a. 'I'he pawl arm 90a is resiliently urged to bring the shoulder Illl and the projecting portion 86a into engagement by the spring 89 on account of the location of the spring 89 on the shaft 88.

Referring now to Figure 9, it will be noted that the projecting portion 86a, is shapedfto receive the portion l I9 in substantially parallel relation therewith. The shoulder H0 urges downwardly the portion 66a, tending to cause the iinger-piece 55 to rise, and, assuming that the notched member H15 is omitted from the modification of Figure 9, the finger-piece 55 will rise to the position shown in that figure Withouhhowever, a substantial lowering of the snuer 'ill owing to the short distance between the face of the projecting portion 56a and the axis thereof which passes through the holes 63. Further up- A ward movement of the finger-piece 55 is positively prevented by the engagement of the wall o1 the slot 6l with the shaft B8, Vand consequently the parts remain in the position shown in Figure 9, or if the notched member H35 be used in this embodiment of the invention, the parts areheld withthe nger-piece in its lowermost position` The couple exerted by the spring 89 on the pawl arm 99a holds the shoulder detent l l0 against the projecting detent 66a. despite the slight pitch of these detents with respect to the path of movemen of the pawl arm 90a and the pressure of the spring 16, but the snuffer 55 may be forced down, in which case the incline of the detents 6611.-! III projects the pawl arm 90a forwardly, thus releasing it and allowing the parts to snap back to original position. It should be noted that in case the notched member i05 is used with the embodiment of Figure 9, such action may be occasioned by positive forcing upward of the finger-piece 55 with the finger, and if such notched member be omitted, the closing action may be initiated by directly pushing the snufer 'I0 with the nger. In order to allow the pawl arm a to pass by its -piece' for'the reception of the snuifer and the locking position as just described, the slot in which it Viits is longerthan in the case of the modification of Figures 1 to 8, and the shoulder 96a more removed from the axis of the shaft B8.

In this modification of the invention it will 5 be seen that normally the snuier will automati- ,4

callyv close when the finger-piece is released, provided the strong fiat spring 91 is employed and thatthe lighter maybe operated either to lock 'it open or to cause it'to automatically closeirl0 respective ofits angular position as a whole. If

desired, the fiat spring 91- may be omitted, in which case control of the lighter, especially when the notched member |05 is included. is e'ected by manipulation ofthe nger-piece, a very slight 16 upward movement'thereof serving to shut the lighter.

' According to both modifications of the invem tion, the parts may be easily and quickly assembled'owing to the wide space in .the finger- 20 ease witnwhichthe spring is may be mounted in position. The whole mechanism is secured in place by thetwo screw shafts 48 and 68;

It will' thus be seen that there have been pro- 25 l vided by thisinvention an article and apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove set forth, together with many thoroughlyv practical advantages, are successfully achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be e 30 of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbeforel set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a.l 35 limiting sense. f

I claimt' 1. In a lighter, an elongated top wall, a wick near one end thereof, a snuil'er member journaled above said wall about an axis parallel thereto 40 and mounted for cooperation with said wick,

a portion of said snufi'er member extending a substantial distance to the other side of its axis from said wick, a, push spring in direct engagement with said portion and acting against the 45 under side thereof, a pin, and a iinger piece having 'a tubular portion from which said pin extends when said nger piece is moved downwardly said pin being adapted-to maintain said nger piece in its downward position. 50

2. In a lighter, the combination with a fuel receptacle, a wick projecting from said receptacle, an abrasive wheel adjacent said wick and pyrophoric material in contact with said wheel, of a snuffer for said wick, resilient means urging 55 said snuier into snuilng position, a pair of detents to hold said snuifer in open position against the action of said resilient means, and a strong spring positioned to oppose the raising of said snuier and making it difficult to engage said detents with each other.

3. In a lighter, a burner, a snufier for said burner, a spring urging said snuer into snung position, means operated when said snuier is opened to light said burner, a latch to hold said 55 snuer against the action of said spring adapted to lact on said snuier in nearly one extreme pol sition thereof and additional spring means coining into 'action to resist opening of said snuer just before it reaches said position. 70

4. In a lighter, the combination with a fuel receptacle, a wick projecting therefrom, a sparking wheel mounted on top of. said receptacle, a snuffer for said wick, a. movable snuer arm member for said snuifer pivotally mounted on top of 75 said receptacle, and a movable linger piece mem- -a mounting for said spring in said receptacle and another mounting for said spring on one of said movable members biased with respect to said `rst named mounting to decrease the effective couplev on said movable snuffer' arm member as said snuffer is elevated.

5. In a lighter, a receptacle, a wick projecting ,l

from said receptacle, a pyrophorlc member, an

abrasive wheel engaging said pyrophoric mem ber, a snuier for said wick, a ratchet wheel connected to said abrasive wheel, a ratchet rack carried by said snuer in engagement with said v ratchet wheel, and latch meanson'said ratchet rack to hold said' snuier in raised position.

6. In a lighter, the combination with a fuel receptacle, a Wick projecting therefrom, a sparking Wheel mounted on top of said receptacle, a shuder for said wick, a movable snuier arm member for said snuier pivotally mounted on top of said receptacle, and a movable finger piece member mounted for downward movement on said receptacle, of means connecting said nger piece and said snuffel', means connecting said finger piece and said sparking wheel whereby downward movement of said iinger piece elevates said snuer and rotates said sparking wheel and, a spring urging said snuier arm member t0 cause said snuifer to enclose said wick, said spring with the pivot for said movable snuffer arm member eirerting a couple on said snuffel' arm member, said spring being disposed with relation to said pivot and said snuier arm member to cause said couple to diminish as said snuier is raised.

7. In a lighter, the combination with a fuel receptacle, a wick projecting therefrom, a sparking wheel mounted on top of said receptacle, a snuffer for said wick, a movable snuiler arm member for said snuffer pivotally mounted on top of said receptacle, anda movable ringer piece member mounted for downward movement on said receptacle, of means connecting said nger piece and said snuer, means connecting said iinger piece and said sparking wheel whereby downward movement oi' said finger piece elevates said snuifer and rotates said sparking wheel, a coiled spring extending between said receptacle and one of the vmovable parts and mountings for said spring whereby it is doubled over into U- shape when said snuier 'J raised thus to reduce its force when the nger piece is depressed and the snuier is raised.

8. In a lighter, the combination with a fuel receptacle, a wick projecting from said receptacle, an abrasive wheel adjacent said wick and pyrophoric material in contact withsaid wheel, of a snuffer for said wick, resilient means urging said snuffer into snuiiing position, .a pair of detente located so as to interengage 'to hold said snuier in open position, one of said detente being responsive to the position in which the lighter is held to determine whether it shall engage the other detent, and additional spring resilient means positioned to oppose the raising of said snuier just prior4 to the time when said detents come opposite each other to make' it diillcult to` engage said detents.

9. In a lighter. the combination of a fuel receptacle, a wick projecting therefrom, a wick tube surrounding said wick, a snuner cap having a seat for cooperation with a seat on said wick tube to seal said receptacle, a snuffer member, spring means urging said snuierl into the position in.

which said cap. seals said receptacle, means 5 mounting said spring means on said snuier member, and'wmeans mounting said spring means in Y said receptacle, said lasttwo means being so disposed relative to each other that the elective force of said spring means to close saidsnuffer 10l cap diminishes as said snuier is raised.

10. In a lighter, the combination with a fuel receptacle, ya wick projecting from said recep- I tacle, an abrasive wheel adjacent said wick, and

pyrophoric material in contact 'with said Wheel, 15

of a snuier for said wick, resilient means urging said snuer into snumng position, a stationary detent, a movable detent, means movabl; mount` ing said movable detent to guide it into a position to engage said stationary detent to maintain the 20 snuier in wick-uncovering position against the pressure of said resilient means, said movable detent being of such mass that it moves relative to its mounting means in response to tilting of the lighter, said detenta being so fonned as to allow release of the snuier upon removing the pressure of said resilient means and tilting the lighter.

1l. In a lighter, a receptacle, a wick projecting from said receptacle, a pyrophoric member, a 3o nger piece, connections between said abrasive wheel and said nger piece whereby movement of said finger piece causes rotation of said abrasive wheel to throw sparks on said wick, a spring constantly urging said inger piece towards its 35 original position, a detent to latch said nnger piece against the action of said spring when said finger piece is depressed to a given position. means opposing movement of said nger piece to said given position additionally to said spring, 40 said means being inoperative during the major portion of the downward movement oi? said iinger piece, and a snuier operated by said Singer piece.

12. In a lighter, a burner, a snuer for said g5 burner, a spring urging said snuier into snuffing position, means operated when said snuffer is open to light said burner, a latch to hold said snuer open against the action of said spring,- said latch automatically acting when said snui- 5o er is moved to a certain position, resisting means interposed inthe path of movement of said snuffer, and means making it difcult to move said snuffer to said position, said resisting means becoming eilective when said snuer nears said 55 position.

13. In a lighter, the combination with a burner. a holder for pyrophoric material, an abrasive wheel adjacent said holder, a nger piece member to operate said abrasive wheel, and a 60 said position.

14. In'lighter construction, in combination, a.

`receptacle dimensioned to lie within the hand.

a burner mounted in said receptacle and extending from thetop thereof, a holder for pyrophoric 35 material secured in said receptacle substantially adjacent said burner, an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted upon the top of said receptacle adjacent said holder, a finger piece member pivotally mounted on the top of said receptacle for Aoperating said abrasive wheel, said receptacle including a well portion in the top thereof into which said iinger piece pivots, a snuer member tacle as to render it readily operable by the thumb when said receptacle is grasped in the hand, a projection extending inwardly from one wall of said. well portion, and detent means on i said finger piece adapted ,to engage said projection when said nger piece is pivoted into said well portion whereby said snuier member is maintained out of snuiling position, said detent means being engageable and disengageable with said projection by tilting said' receptacle.

15. In lighter construction, in combination, a receptacle dimensioned to lie within the hand,

a burner mounted in said receptacle and ex-v tending frorn the top thereof, a holder for pyrophoric material secured in said receptacle'substantially adjacent said burner, an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted upon the top of said receptacle adjacent said holder, a ilnger piece member pivotally mounted on the top of said receptacle for operating said abrasive wheel, said receptacle including a well portion in the top thereof into which said` i'lnger piece pivots, a snuffer member for said burner pivotally mounted on the top of said receptacle and operatively connected to said finger piece member, resilient means operating against one4 of said members to return said snuier member to snuillng position, said nger piece being so positioned on the top of said receptacle as to render it readily operable by the thumb when said receptacle isgrasped in the hand, a projection extending inwardly from one wall of said weil portion,'detent means on said nger piece adapted to engage'said projection when said finger piece is pivoted into said well portion whereby said snuier member is maintained out of snumng position,

said detent means being engageable and disengageable with said projection by tilting said receptacle, and spring means disposed in the bottom of said well portion for resisting the engagement of said detent means with said projection. 16. In lighter construction, in combination, a receptacle dimensioned to lie within the hand, a burner mounted in said receptacle and extending from the top thereof, a holder for pyrophoric material secured in said receptacle 'substantially adjacent said burner, an abrasive wheel rotatably mounted upon the top of said receptacle adjacent said holder, a linger piece member pivotally mounted on the top of said receptacle for operating said abrasive wheel, said receptacle including a well portion in the top thereof into which said ngerpiece pivots,asnui 5' er member for said burner pivotally mounted on the top of said receptacle and operatively connected to said finger piece member, resilient means operating against one of said members to return said snuier member to snufling position, 10

said finger piece being so positioned on the top of said receptacle as to render it readily operable by the thumb when said receptacle is grasped in the hand, and latch means to hold one of said members, said latch means being releasableby l5 one of said members. c

17. In lighter construction, in combination, a receptacle dimensioned to lie within the hand, a burner mounted in said receptacle and projectingfrom the top thereof, a holder for pyro- 20 phoric material mounted in said receptacle' and projecting through the top thereof adjacent said burnergan abrasive wheel rotatably mounted on the top of said receptacle and operatively associated with the pyrophoric material in said hold- 26 er, a ngerpiece member pivotally mounted on the top of said receptacle for operating said abrasive wheel, a snuffer for said burner mounted on the top of said receptacle and operatively connected to said nger piece member, resilient S0 means disposed within said ,receptacle and positioned to lresist the pivoting of one-of said members, said means being adapted to return said snuffer member to snufln'g` position, and latch means for holding one of said members in its pivoted lposition whereby said Vsnuiler member ls maintained in spaced relationship to said burner, said latch means being `releasable by moving one of said members, said finger piece member being so related to the top of -said receptacle that 40 it may be operated by the thumb when said relceptacle is grasped in the hand.

18. In lighter construction, in combination, a fuel receptacle, a wick disposed within said receptacle and extending exteriorly thereof, a 48 holder for pyrophoric material secured in said receptacle substantially adjacent said wick, an abrasive wheel operatively related to said pyrophoric material, a snufler for said wick, a n'ger piece operatively connected to said snuifer, means lo responsive to actuation of said finger piece for moving-said snuffer into wick-uncovering position and for rotating said wheel to throw sparks onto said wick, means resisting movement of said nger -piece and oiering a substantially I5 greater resistance to movement during a later range of movement than `during an earlier range of movement of said nger piece, and latch means rendered optionally operable only during said later range of movement of said iinger piece for holding said snuier in wick-uncovering position.

ALFRED F. REILLY. 

